Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Leslie Allen Bellrichard

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Oak Hill Cemetery

Born:December 04, 1941 at Janesville, WI

Entered
Service in the US Army from Oakland, CA

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Vietnam War For heroism May 20,
1967 at Kontum Province, Vietnam

Died:May
20, 1967 at the age of 25

Private First
Class Bellrichard was with four fellow soldiers in a foxhole on
their unit's perimeter when the position came under a massive
enemy attack. Following a 30-minute mortar barrage, the enemy
launched a strong ground assault. Private First Class
Bellrichard rose in face of a group of charging enemy soldiers
and threw hand grenades into their midst, eliminating several of
the foe and forcing the remainder to withdraw. Failing in their
initial attack, the enemy repeated the mortar and rocket
bombardment of the friendly perimeter, then once again charged
against the defenders in a concerted effort to overrun the
position. Private First Class Bellrichard resumed throwing hand
grenades at the onrushing attackers. As he was about to hurl a
grenade, a mortar round exploded just in front of his position,
knocking him into the foxhole and causing him to lose his grip
on the already armed grenade. Recovering instantly, Private
First Class Bellrichard recognized the threat to the lives of
his four comrades and threw himself upon the grenade, shielding
his companions from the blast that followed. Although severely
wounded, Private First Class Bellrichard struggled into an
upright position in the foxhole and fired his rifle at the enemy
until he succumbed to his wounds. His selfless heroism
contributed greatly to the successful defense of the position,
and he was directly responsible for saving the lives of several
of his comrades.